Maloco Assembly of God History
Since 1957
In 1957, in a quiet, peaceful and beautiful barrio of Maloco in the municipality of Ibajay, province of Aklan, a church was constructed and dedicated to the Lord. This is the Maloco Assembly of God church, a small church with a great vision – to be a channel of blessings to all people especially to the family of believers.
Less than a year before, in late 1956, Ptr. Marcelo and Sis. Paz Arangote had touched base with a small group of believers led by Bro. Andres Sallador at Batuan, Ibajay, a neighboring barrio. They gathered in makeshift shed for worship and fellowship. As the work grew, they decided to construct a church building in Maloco. Sis. Esperanza “Pepe” Dailisan donated the lot. The first church building was made of light materials.
The work has grown not without persecution, hardships and trials. Yet the church remained steadfast and faithful. When the Arangote’s went to Bible school to finish their studies, the church continued to grow under the leadership of Bro. Andres with thehelp of some visiting pastors. In 1969, Ptr. Marcelo and Sis. Paz returned to pastor the church. The work continued to grew that a bigger church, Ibajay Full Gospel Center at Laguinbanwa, Ibajay, Aklan, was established in 1979, temporarily closing down the Maloco church. God bountifully blessed the work in Ibajay. The members grew in faith and in numbers. Members from Maloco and its neighboring barangays found it more convenient and less costly to have Sunday worship service at Maloco church. With the help of missionaries Herbert and Doris Brodehl, the church building in Maloco was renovated and Sunday worship service was restored with Sis. Paz as pastor. When Bro. Filamer Arangote graduated from Bethel Bible College in 1990, he took over as pastor of the church.
God knows how to reward those who are faithful and abounding in the work of the Lord. He uses people to bless the church. In 2001, Rev. Dwight Palmquist offered some financial help for the improvement of the church building. But God has a greater plan – a bigger church building. With financial help coming from the Brodehl’s, church members, and other brethren, the church was made bigger. In August of the same year, God sent Rev. Jerry and Rev. Elvie Berenguer, of the Jesus First Ministry in Canada (now Champion Life Centre), to help in the construction of the second floor of the church building. Engr. Roy Allen Arangote was instrumental and has a vital role in the completion of the two-storey church building. The new, bigger, and taller building was dedicated to the Lord on March 17, 2002. Through the effort and contribution of the local church members and other benefactors, the church continued to improve and beautified.
The church membership growth is visible, and the ministries and missions expanded. Feeding program was launched in nearby barangays through Child Care Ministry, and finally resulted to have a DSWD-accredited Assembly of God Day Care Center. Growth brought the church to emphasize benefit program for members and other believers through EdAP (Educational Assistance Program) and Operation Blessings. Mission works extended to other places done by the I.W.A.G. Ministries (Integrated Works for the Advancement of the Gospel), an integration of ministry strengths of Maloco church and Ibajay Full Gospel Center.
Through the I.W.A.G. Ministries, the church never stop receiving God’s intended growth and blessings with her vital focused on the Vision 2015: Iwagan Ro Banwa (Lighting the Town), the establishing of outreach work in every barangay of Ibajay which was unveiled year 2009.
In January 2017, we launched Vision 2020: Win souls for Christ!
The church is willing to extend where God wants her to be.
To God be the glory!
As the ministry philosophy of this church states that, “Our present situation is our preparation for a greater tomorrow!” Praise God for the miracles.